I love looking out for funny and or cute signs when I travel.
Japan should teach a MasterClass in cute signs. In subway stations, on the street, on noren, in hotels — they’re everywhere. Many are intentionally cute while some are unintentionally funny.
When the country has warnings about comportment in public places, but animals represent people – it’s a sign.
In this hotel, it’s strange that tattoos are frowned upon but naked swimming in their onsen (public bath) is acceptable 🙂
If you like kicking the driver’s seat while you’re in a cab, like this guy, when you’re in Japan, please don’t. It’s a sign of bad manners. 🙂
When you’re in Fukuoka and you badly need caffeine, and you come across this cafe, it’s a sign.
And you have to wonder whether it’s a tea shop or they just have strong feelings about coffee 🙂
When there are many warnings about ‘smart phone walking’, it’s really a sign of where we’re headed (lol).
When you’re stressed because you’re late, and so you need a cigarette, it’s a sign.
Quit or be late.
When your intelligence is doubted, it’s a sign. 😀
I’m not sure. Can you?
When the eggs are thirsty, it’s a sign.
Maybe don’t order that dish.
Some cute and funny signs I collected along the way. I hope you enjoy them.
Copyright © 2025
Lisi-Tana.com
All Rights Reserved
un.deux..trois… blog is reader supported. Consider signing up to be notified when there is a new post, or become a monthly subscriber to show your support.
Love it!
I read somewhere that tattoos are frowned upon in Japan as they signify one’s connection to Japanese mafia, Yakuza, whose members tattooed themselves.
This piece was highly informative, and funny. I loved the signs. I totally agree with the Smartphone Walking. I didn’t know it had a name. We need signs like that in the US for people walking in the middle of the road, and not realizing they are in the middle of the road because they are on their cellphones.
100% true.
There is a guy who walks his baby in the park nearby, and I’ve never once seen him talking to or interacting with the child. He just walks and stares at his screen.
I was in a train in Japan this last time and a woman walked on the train with a little girl who couldn’t have been more than 3 or 4 years old. The stood right next to me.
The girl had the saddest eyes I’d ever seen in a child that age. Anyway – when they got on, she immediately let go of the child’s hand. Her phone was attached to her wrist with a fancy looking strap. She swung it up into her hand and started scrolling. And scrolling. The train was going quite fast and the little girl wanted something to hold on to but she had to balance herself without help. The whole ride, the little girl kept staring up at the woman but never once did she look down. We got off at the same stop and I later saw them walking along the platform. The woman was still on her phone but her other arm was down and the child was holding on to that hand. I can still remember the little girl’s face.
This Alpha generation will be quite lonely, I think.